Refillable packaging box for a cosmetic item

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a packaging box ( 10 ) for at least one cosmetic item ( 40 ), comprising:
         a base ( 16 ) defining an internal compartment ( 26 ),   a refill part ( 14 ) comprising a receptacle ( 39, 50 ) intended to receive a first cosmetic item ( 40 ),   the refill part being assembled in a removable manner with the base, in such a way that the receptacle of the refill part is received in the internal compartment of the base.       

     The box comprises a first ( 82, 86 ) and a second means for blocking in translation of the refill part with respect to the base, with the first means of blocking being elastically deformable in such a way as to unblock the refill part ( 14 ) with respect to the base ( 16 ).

This invention relates to a packaging box for a cosmetic item, of the type comprising: a base defining an internal compartment, an opening of said internal compartment being substantially arranged along a first axis; and a refill part comprising a receptacle intended to receive a first cosmetic item such as a cosmetic product, with an opening of said receptacle being substantially arranged along a second axis, with the refill part being assembled in a removable manner with the base, in such a way that the receptacle of the refill part is received in the internal compartment of the base and that the first and second axes are confounded.

The term “cosmetic item” according to the present invention denotes a cosmetic product intended for application onto a human, such as for example a solid such as a powder, a liquid or a cream. A “cosmetic product” is more generally a product as defined in EC Regulation No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of Nov. 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

The term “cosmetic item” also denotes a tool used for applying a cosmetic product onto a surface of the body, the tool being for example a brush, touch-up brush or sponge. A “cosmetic item” may also be a cosmetic treatment tool such as a nail file.

A packaging device is suitable for containing and moving a cosmetic item with a view to the storage, marketing and use thereof. The packaging device is for example a case or a box able to be received in a handbag.

When the cosmetic item is a cosmetic product, it is advantageous to be able to refill the box when the product has been used up. In order to directly package the product in a receptacle, it is known to configure the box into two removable portions in relation to one another, with one of said portions containing the refill receptacle. Such packaging boxes are in particular described in documents WO2014017800 and KR101112477.

The purpose of this invention is to improve the assembly device between the two removable portions, in order to guarantee a solid connection while still facilitating the assembly and dissociation method.

To this effect, the invention has for object a packaging box of the aforementioned type, comprising a first and second means for blocking in translation, along the first axis, of the refill part with respect to the base, with at least the first means for blocking being deformable elastically, along a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and/or second axis, in such a way as to unblock the refill part with respect to the base.

According to further advantageous aspects of the invention, the packaging box comprises one or several of the following features taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

-   -   each one of the first and second means for blocking comprises a         first element of the base and a second element of the refill         part, said first and second elements able to cooperate in order         to block in translation the refill part with respect to the         base;     -   one of the first and second elements of the first means of         blocking comprises an elastically deformable flexible tab;     -   the first and second means of blocking are substantially located         on either side of the receptacle;     -   the box further comprises a lid mobile between an open position         and a closed position, in which the refill part and/or the first         and second means of blocking are contained in an internal volume         defined by the base and by the lid in closed position;     -   the box further comprises a housing intended to receive a second         cosmetic item such as a cosmetic product applicator;     -   the housing intended to receive a second cosmetic item is         configured in such a way as to close the receptacle when the lid         is in closed position;     -   the refill part comprises a support comprising the second         elements of the first and second means for blocking.

The invention further relates to a refill unit comprising: a packaging box such as described hereinabove; and a plurality of refills of a shape similar to the refill part or to a portion of said refill part, with each one of said refills containing a cosmetic product.

The invention further relates to a method for disassembling a packaging box such as described hereinabove, including the following steps: elastic deformation of the first means of blocking in such a way as to unblock the refill part of the box with respect to the base of said box; then dissociation of the refill part and the base.

The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a packaging box such as described hereinabove, including the following steps: supplying of the base and of the refill part; then putting into contact the first and second elements of the second means of blocking in translation; then pivoting the refill part with respect to the base according to a third axis passing substantially through said first and second elements of the second means of blocking, in such a way as to assemble via snap-fitting the first and second elements of the first means of blocking in translation by elastic deformation of said first means of blocking.

The invention will be easier to understand in view of the following description, provided solely as a non-restricted example and with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging box according to a first embodiment of the invention, in a first configuration;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-section view of the box of FIG. 1, in a second configuration;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section view of the box of FIG. 1, in a third configuration;

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are perspective views of a first element of the box of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a second element of the box of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a packaging box 10, of the makeup case type, according to an embodiment of the invention. It is considered an orthonormal base (X, Y, Z), with the direction Z representing the vertical. The cutting plane of FIGS. 2 and 3 is a plane (Y, Z) of symmetry of the box 10.

The box 10 comprises a base 11 and a lid 12 mobile in rotation with respect to said base. The box 10 further comprises a plate 13, also mobile in rotation with respect to the base 11.

The base 11 is formed of an upper plate 14 and of a lower base 16 nested with one another. The plate 14 dissociated from the base 16 is in particular visible in FIGS. 4 and 5, assembled to the plate 13. The base 16 dissociated from the plate 14 is in particular visible in FIG. 6, assembled to the lid 12.

The base 16 comprises a lower wall 18 substantially arranged according to a plane (X, Y). In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6, the lower wall 18 has a substantially square contour.

The base 16 further comprises four lateral walls 20 which develop are developed according to Z the lower wall 18. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6, the lateral walls 20 are of a shape curved outward of the box 10.

The upper end of each one of the walls 20 is formed by a substantially straight edge. Said straight edges comprise a front edge 21 and a rear edge 22 substantially parallel to X, and lateral edges 23, 24 substantially parallel to Y. The edges 21, 22, 23, 24 of the lateral walls 20 form a square arranged in a plane (X, Y). In an alternative not shown, the box has another shape, for example a circular, oval or polygonal exterior cross-section.

The lateral walls 20 and the lower wall 18 of the base 16 define a compartment 26 open in the upper portion.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6, the base 16 comprises a circular cut-out 27 on the lower portion 18. The cut-out 27 is arranged according to an axis 28, parallel to Z and contained in the cutting plane of FIGS. 2 and 3.

The plate 14 comprises a central cavity 32 open upwards and received in the compartment 26 of the base 14. The cavity 32 is arranged according to a central axis 34 parallel to Z; when the plate 14 and the base 16 are assembled, the axis 34 is confounded with the axis 28.

The cavity 32 comprises a bottom 35, arranged according to a plane (X, Y). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the bottom 35 has a substantially complementary shape with the cut-out 27 of the base 14 an d said bottom 35 is arranged coplanar to said cut-out. The bottom 35 of the plate 14 and the lower wall 18 of the base 16 as such form a continuous surface. In an alternative not shown the cavity 32 has another shape, for example square or rectangular as a cross-section.

According to an alternative not shown, the lower wall 18 does not comprise a cut-out and the bottom 35 is located above said lower wall 18.

Starting from the bottom 35, the cavity 32 comprises a first lateral wall 36. The first lateral wall 36 comprises an internal portion 37 and an external portion 38, having shapes cylindrical of revolution. An outer diameter of the internal portion 37 corresponds substantially to an inner diameter of the external portion 38, said internal portion 37 being housed in the external portion 38.

The bottom 35 and the internal portion 37 of the first lateral wall 36 define a first housing 39, intended to receive a first cosmetic item 40. The first cosmetic item 40 is for example a cosmetic product intended to be applied on a surface of the body, such as a powder or a cream.

Opposite the bottom 35, the external portion 38 of the first lateral wall 36 is extended by a shoulder 42 arranged in a plane (X, Y), then by a second lateral wall 44. The second wall 44 has a shape cylindrical of revolution, with a diameter greater than the diameter of the first wall 36.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plate 14 is formed of a lower portion 50 and of an upper portion 52 assembled in a removable manner. The lower portion 50 is formed by the bottom 35 of the cavity 32, as well as by the internal portion 37 of the first lateral wall 36, defining the first housing 39.

The upper portion comprises the external portion 38 of the first lateral wall 36, as well as the shoulder 42 and the second lateral wall 44 of the cavity 32.

The internal portion 37 is assembled to the external portion 38, for example by snap-fitting or screwing, forming the first lateral wall 36 of the cavity 32. The bottom 35 is as such made integral with the rest of the plate 14.

According to an alternative not shown, the lower portion 50 and the upper portion 52 of the plate 14 are monoblock. In particular, the internal portion 37 and the external portion 38 of the first lateral wall 36 are monoblock.

The base 14 further comprises a lower wall 60, substantially planar and arranged in a plane (X, Y). The upper wall 60 forms an upper end of the second lateral wall 44 of the cavity 32. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the upper wall 60 belongs to the upper portion 52 of the plate 14.

The upper wall 60 has a square contour arranged in contact with the edges 21, 22, 23, 24 of the lateral walls 20 of the base 16, in such a way as to close the compartment 26 of said base 16. In particular, the upper wall 60 comprises a front edge 62 and a rear edge 64, respectively arranged in contact with the front edge 21 and with the rear edge 22 of the base 16.

Starting from each one of the two ends of the front edge 62 of the plate 14, a guiding tab 66 is developed downwards, according to a plane (X, Z). A lower end of each tab 66 comprises a lug 70, protruding outwards, i.e. opposite the central axis 34. Each lug 70 has a substantially straight shape, arranged according to X.

Moreover, in the vicinity of each one of the two ends of the front edge 21 of the base 16, an inner wall of the compartment 26 comprises a groove 72 of a shape complementary to that of a lug 70. The grooves 72 are configured in such a way that, when the plate 14 and the base 16 are nested, as in FIGS. 1 to 3, each lug 70 is housed in a groove 72. Each lug 70/groove 72 unit blocks the plate 14 in translation according to Z with respect to the base 16.

The plate 14 further comprises a rear wall 74 that is developed downwards according to a plane (X, Z) starting from the rear edge 64 of the upper wall 60. A lower end of the rear wall 74 is formed by a lower edge 75, straight and parallel to X.

Preferentially, the plate 14 further comprises two lateral walls 76 that are developed downwards according to planes (Y, Z) starting from the upper wall 60. Each end of the rear wall 74 is connected to an end of a lateral wall 76. The rear 74 and lateral 76 walls are configured in such a way as to be received in the compartment 26 of the base 16 when the plate 14 and the base 16 are nested.

The plate 14 further comprises a flexible tab 78, substantially coplanar with the rear wall 74. The flexible tab 78 is integral with said rear wall on the lower edge 75 and is developed upwards starting from said lower edge 75. An upper end 80 of the flexible tab 78 forms a protrusion upwards with respect to the upper wall 60.

The flexible tab 78 further comprises a lug 82 protruding outwards, i.e. opposite the central axis 34. The lug 82 has a substantially straight shape, arranged according to X. According to Z, the lug 82 is close to the rear edge 64 of the upper wall 60.

The lug 82 comprises a surface 83 parallel to X and inclined in a plane (Y, Z), oriented outwards.

On the flexible tab 78, the upper portion 60 of the plate 14 comprises a cut-out 84. As such, it is possible to elastically deform the flexible tab 78 by pressing according to Y on the upper end 80, in such a way as to bring the lug 82 of the axis 34 closer.

Moreover, in the vicinity of the rear edge 22 of the base 16, an internal wall of the compartment 26 comprises a first abutment 85 and a second abutment 86. The first 85 and second 86 abutments are protruding inwards, i.e. in the direction of the axis 28.

The second abutment 86 comprises a surface 87 parallel to X and inclined in a plane (Y, Z), oriented inwards.

The first 85 and second 86 abutments are configured in such a way that, when the plate 14 and the base 16 are nested, as in FIGS. 1 to 3, said first 85 and second 86 abutments are respectively in contact with the lower edge 75 of the rear wall 74 and with the lug 82 of the flexible tab. The first abutment 85 is then located under the lower edge 75 and the second abutment 86 is above the lug 82.

The first abutment 85/lower edge 75 and second abutment 86/lug 82 units block the plate 14 in translation according to Z with respect to the base 16.

The second abutment 86 is configured in such a way that the lug 82 can be moved away from said second abutment by being brought closer to the axis 34 when the flexible tab 78 is elastically deformed.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the means for blocking in translation according to Z of the plate 14 with respect to the base 16 comprise an elastically deformable element, carried by the base 16.

The plate 13 of the box 10 comprises a planar portion 90, with a shape and dimensions similar to those of the upper wall 60 of the plate 14. In particular, the planar portion 90 has a substantially square contour. In a closed configuration of the device 10, such as shown in FIG. 2, the planar portion 90 is arranged in a plane (X, Y).

The plate 13 further comprises a second housing 92, intended to receive a second cosmetic item 93. The second cosmetic item 93 is for example a sponge intended to apply the cosmetic product 40.

The second housing 92 of plate 13 opens onto the planar portion 90. The housing comprises a planar bottom 94, substantially parallel to the planar portion 90. The bottom 94 is connected to the planar portion 90 by a lateral wall 96. The lateral wall 96 of the plate 13 has a circular section, with a diameter close to the diameter of the second lateral wall 44 of the plate 14.

The plate 13 is mounted on the base 11, in particular on the plate 14. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the plate 13 and the plate 14 mounted together.

The planar plate 90 of the plate 13 is connected to the plate 14 by a hinge 99 that materializes a first axis of rotation parallel to X, substantially arranged according to the front edge 62 of the upper portion 60 of the plate 14.

The plate 13 is mobile in rotation with respect to the plate 14, between an open configuration, shown in FIG. 1, and the closed configuration shown in FIG. 2. In the closed configuration, the second housing 92 of the plate 13 is received in the cavity 32 of the plate 14, in such a way as to close off the first housing 39 receiving the first cosmetic item 40.

More precisely, in the closed configuration, a peripheral portion of the planar bottom 94 of the housing 92 of the plate 13 is in contact with the shoulder 42 of the cavity 32 of the plate 14.

The lid 12 of the box 10 comprises an internal face 100, substantially planar. In an open configuration of the device 12, which can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the internal face 100 is arranged in a plane (X, Y). The internal face 100 has a substantially square contour.

The lid 12 further comprises lateral walls 102 substantially perpendicular to the internal face 100. One end of the lateral walls 102, opposite the internal face 100, forms a square contour 103 substantially identical to that formed by the edges 21, 22, 23, 24 of the lateral walls 20 of the base 16.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6, the lid 12 comprises a mirror 104, with the internal face 100 being the reflecting face of said mirror.

The lid 12 is mounted on the base 11, in particular on the plate 16. FIG. 6 shows the lid 12 and the base 16 mounted together.

The lateral wall 102 of the lid 12 is connected to the base 16 by a hinge 106 that materializes a second axis of rotation parallel to X, substantially arranged according to the rear edge 22 of the base 16.

The lid 12 is mobile in rotation with respect to the base 16, between an open position, shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6, and a closed position not shown. In the closed position, the lid 12 covers the plate 14 and the plate 13 in closed configuration, in such a way as to close off the second housing 92 receiving the sponge 93. Moreover, in closed position, the lid 12 covers the upper protrusion 80 of the flexible tab 78 of the plate 14.

Preferably, the lid 12 comprises a means for locking in closed position. For example, the lid 12 comprises a notch 108 able to cooperate with a hook 110 carried by the front edge 21 of the base 16.

Optionally, the lid 12 comprises perforations or vents (not shown) in order to put the second housing 92 in communication with the outside of the device 10 when said lid is in closed position. The wet sponge 93 can as such dry inside the device 10, preventing the risks of mold.

A refill unit according to an embodiment of the invention comprises: on the one hand a box 10 such as described hereinabove, comprising a base 16, a lid 12, a plate 14 and a plate 13; on the other hand a plurality of refills 13, 14 identical to the plate 14 assembled to the plate 13, the first housings 39 of said refills 13, 14 containing a quantity of cosmetic product 40. Optionally, each one of the refills 13, 14 comprises a sponge 93 housed in the second housing 92 of the plate 13.

A method for operating such a refill unit will now be described. In the open position of the lid 12 and in the open configuration of the plate 13, as in FIG. 1, the first housing 39 is open. Using the sponge 93, a user can take the cosmetic product 40 in then housing 39 and apply said product onto surfaces of the body. The application is possible controlled using a mirror 104.

When the cosmetic product 40 is used up, the user dissociates the plate 14 from the base 16 in order to refill the box 10 with product. To this effect, the user exerts a pressure according to Y on the upper protrusion 80 of the flexible tab 78, in such a way as to bring said tab closer the central axis 34 of the lug 82. As such, the lug 82 moves away from and is disengaged from the second abutment 86 of the base 16.

The user then lifts the rear edge 64 of the plate 14, pivoting said plate 14 with respect to the base 16 according to an axis substantially aligned with the front edge 21 of said base 16. The box 10 is in the configuration shown in FIG. 3.

The user can then disengage the lugs 70 from the grooves 72 and extract the plate 14 from the base 16, via translation according to Z. The plate 13/plate 14 unit, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is as such dissociated from the lid 12/base 16 unit, shown in FIG. 6.

The user then replaces the plate 13/plate 14 unit with another identical unit, of which the first housing 39 contains cosmetic product 40. To this effect, the user assembles the new plate 14 to the base 16: firstly, the user introduces the lugs 70 of the plate 14 in the grooves 72 of the base 16, in the inclined configuration shown in FIG. 3. The user then lowers the rear edge 64 of the plate 14, until the inclined surfaces 83, 87, respectively of the lug 82 and of the second abutment 86, come into contact with one another. The user continues the lowering of the rear edge 64, leading the inclined surfaces 83, 87 to slide against one another, which pushed the flexible tab 78 inwards. As soon as the lug 82 has crossed the second abutment 86, the tab 78 has returned to its initial position. The plate 14 is as such snap-fitted onto the base 16, in particular blocked in translation according to Z with respect to said base.

A refill unit according to a first alternative embodiment of the invention comprises: on the one hand a box 10 such as described hereinabove, on the other hand a plurality of refills 14 identical to the plate 14, with the first housings 39 of said refills 14 containing a quantity of cosmetic product 40.

In a method of operating such a refill unit according to a first alternative, during the replacing of the plate 14 with an identical refill, the plate 13 is dismounted from the plate 14. The plate 13 is then mounted on the refill, in particular by nesting of the portions of the hinge 99.

A refill unit according to a second alternative embodiment of the invention comprises: on the one hand a box 10 such as described hereinabove, the plate 14 comprising a lower portion 50 and an upper portion 52; on the other hand a plurality of refills 50 identical to the lower portion 14 of the box, with the first housings 39 of said refills 50 containing a quantity of cosmetic product 40.

In a method of operating such a refill unit according to a second alternative, once the plate 13/plate 14 unit is dissociated from the lid 12/base 16 unit, the user unsnaps or unscrews the lower portion 50 from the upper portion 52 of the plate 14. The user replaces said lower portion 50 with an identical refill 50, comprising a housing 39 containing cosmetic product 40. Finally, the user reassembles the plate 14 to the base 16 as described in the method hereinabove. 

1. A packaging box for at least one cosmetic item, comprising: a base defining an internal compartment, an opening of said internal compartment being substantially arranged according to a first axis; a refill part comprising a receptacle intended to receive a first cosmetic item such as a cosmetic product, an opening of said receptacle being substantially arranged according to a second axis, the refill part being assembled in a removable manner with the base, in such a way that the receptacle of the refill part is received in the internal compartment of the base and that the first and second axes are confounded, wherein the packaging box comprises a first and a second means of blocking in translation, according to the first axis, the refill part with respect to the base, at least the first means of blocking being elastically deformable, according to a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and/or the second axis, in such a way as to unblock the refill part with respect to the base.
 2. A packaging box according to claim 1, wherein each one of the first and second means for blocking comprises a first element of the base and a second element of the refill part, said first and second elements able to cooperate in order to block in translation the refill part with respect to the base.
 3. A packaging box according to claim 1, wherein once of the first and second elements of the first means of blocking comprise an elastically deformable flexible tab.
 4. A packaging box according to claim 1, wherein the first and second means of blocking are substantially located on either side of the receptacle.
 5. A packaging box according to claim 1, further comprising a lid mobile between an open position and a closed position, in which the refill part and/or the first and second means of blocking are contained in an internal volume defined by the base and by the lid in closed position.
 6. A packaging box according to claim 1, further comprising a housing intended to receive a second cosmetic item such as a cosmetic product applicator.
 7. A packaging box according to claim 6, wherein the housing intended to receive a second cosmetic item is configured in such a way as to close the receptacle when the lid is in closed position.
 8. A refill unit comprising: a packaging box according to claim 1; and a plurality of refills of a shape similar to the refill part or to a portion of said refill part, with each one of said refills containing a cosmetic product.
 9. A Method for disassembling a packaging box according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: elastic deformation of the first means of blocking in such a way as to unblock the refill part of the box with respect to the base of said box; then dissociation of the refill part and the base.
 10. A Method for manufacturing a packaging box according to claim 2, comprising the following steps: supplying of the base and of the refill part; then putting into contact the first and second elements of the second means of blocking in translation; then pivoting the refill part with respect to the base according to a third axis passing substantially through said first and second elements of the second means of blocking, in such a way as to assemble via snap-fitting the first and second elements of the first means of blocking in translation by elastic deformation of said first means of blocking.
 11. A packaging box according to claim 2, wherein once of the first and second elements of the first means of blocking comprise an elastically deformable flexible tab.
 12. A packaging box according to claim 2, wherein the first and second means of blocking are substantially located on either side of the receptacle.
 13. A packaging box according to claim 3, wherein the first and second means of blocking are substantially located on either side of the receptacle.
 14. A packaging box according to claim 2, further comprising a lid mobile between an open position and a closed position, in which the refill part and/or the first and second means of blocking are contained in an internal volume defined by the base and by the lid in closed position.
 15. A packaging box according to claim 3, further comprising a lid mobile between an open position and a closed position, in which the refill part and/or the first and second means of blocking are contained in an internal volume defined by the base and by the lid in closed position.
 16. A packaging box according to claim 4, further comprising a lid mobile between an open position and a closed position, in which the refill part and/or the first and second means of blocking are contained in an internal volume defined by the base and by the lid in closed position.
 17. A packaging box according to claim 2, further comprising a housing intended to receive a second cosmetic item such as a cosmetic product applicator.
 18. A packaging box according to claim 3, further comprising a housing intended to receive a second cosmetic item such as a cosmetic product applicator.
 19. A packaging box according to claim 4, further comprising a housing intended to receive a second cosmetic item such as a cosmetic product applicator.
 20. A packaging box according to claim 5, further comprising a housing intended to receive a second cosmetic item such as a cosmetic product applicator. 